First you and your kids will share dreams of places to go and things to do together. Then you’ll organize, prioritize and turn your wish list into tangible goals with a fun family project.

Why Build a Bucket List?

A bucket list consists of things you want to do in your lifetime (before you “kick the bucket”).

The expression has been expanded to include goals people want to achieve within other time frames as well: before certain birthdays or life events, before holidays or vacations come to an end, before the kids reach a certain age, etc.

The bucket list concept has been around for a while and got a boost in popularity by The Bucket List movie, but it may be new to your children. Once you explain that it’s a way to think of the fun things you’d like to do together, they’re sure to get on board right away with lots of ideas!

It’s fun and exciting to come up with goals using input from the whole family. Kids love to feel that their contributions count.

For this adventure, you’ll actually make a special bucket, then gather, create and preserve a bucketful of family memories.

Want to spend even more time wandering among the delightful sights, smells and sounds of your local market?

Discover more about the foods grown near your hometown with a fun farmers’ market treasure hunt.

Don’t just buy fresh fruits and vegetables. Learn where they come from and how they grow, and support local farmers in the process.

In this article I’ll show you how to make the most of your trip to the local farmers’ market by having a treasure hunt with your kids.

Why Have a Farmers’ Market Treasure Hunt?

Whether you regularly go to the farmers’ market with your family or as a special event, a treasure hunt will help you make the most out of your experience.

A farmers’ market is the perfect backdrop for a unique learning quest, where the treasure is the bounty of colorful produce.

Don’t just breeze past the vendors to pick up a few groceries—learn about them.

With the treasure hunt sheet as a guide, use this adventure to get to know those vendors by name, discover how the farmers get the food from the field to the market, and learn how to recognize the local produce that’s in season and more.

As a bonus, by showing interest, you may even get some extra free samples.

Most schools have lots of volunteering opportunities and would appreciate your family’s help, even when school isn’t in session. Volunteer together.

You’ll have a great family adventure and make the campus better for everyone.

In this article I’ll highlight several volunteer activities you and your family can do to make a difference at your children’s school.

Why Volunteer at Your Children’s School?

There are boundless opportunities to help out at your kids’ school during summer vacation, on in-service days and other days off.

When you bring your kids along to help, you demonstrate the importance of community service and instill values that they’ll carry with them throughout their lives. Plus, they’ll feel good about contributing to improving their school.

And there’s plenty to do! Whether you work a few hours, an afternoon or a day or two, every little bit helps.

Looking for a fun new way to celebrate your kids’ birthdays? (Or yours?)

Ever sign up for a store or restaurant’s birthday club?

Turn those coupons and emails for birthday freebies into a fun family adventure!

In this article I’ll show you how to search for birthday freebies and deals in your neighborhood and use them for a fun family celebration that costs next to nothing.

Why a Birthday Adventure?

Birthday parties are usually all about the kids, but with the birthday freebie adventure, your whole family (parents, too!) can celebrate together every time one of you has your big day. And the celebration can go on during the whole birthday month.

It’s simple. You’ve probably already signed up for free birthday stuff from your favorite restaurants and shops. In this adventure you sign up for several birthday freebies and make your way from place to place, enjoying the birthday treats together. It’s like a treasure hunt or a progressive dinner where free (or heavily discounted) goodies are the prize.

Make the most of all of the birthdays in your family and start an inexpensive tradition that creates great family memories.

In this article I’ll share our 26 favorite staycation ideas, A-Z. Learn how to become tourists in your own town and find fantastic places to make family memories this summer.

Why Take a Family Staycation?

A family vacation is an important bonding experience—a time to interact in a relaxed environment, away from the busy everyday schedules of work, school and extracurricular activities.

But sometimes you don’t have the time or money to plan a week or two away from home.

Try a staycation, a vacation you take in your own town. Staycations are much less expensive than traditional vacations and can fit into the nooks and crannies of your busy life. The point is to step away from all of the “stuff” that distracts you from connecting with your kids and get into the vacation mindset, no travel required.

Taking some time to refresh and reboot with your family is priceless.

Read on for a list of staycation ideas from A to Z and choose a fun escape for your family soon.

Want to make the most of the time you spend with them, even when it’s just a few minutes?

Bring on the boredom-buster activities for kids!

We’ll help you find something fun to do together before they turn on the TV or electronics and tune you out.

The editors of My Kids’ Adventures have searched the web for fun things you can do with your kids in 10 minutes or less.

In this article I’ll share our 10 favorite ways to connect with kids and beat the boredom blues—fast!

Why Make Time for Quick Adventures?

Any time you spend with your kids can be quality time; you just have to find it and fill it with something fun.

Think of those little 10-minute chunks of time in between other things: while you’re driving to and from school, waiting for activities to start or end, having a snack, getting ready for dinner or bed… Often these short slots of time are filled with TV or video games, but you can fill them with fun family activities instead.

There are plenty of mini-adventures you can have with your kids in those short slices of time between other things, so make the most of those little moments. Fill them with something fun before the kids have a chance to check out and get bored.

Want to discover new places or rediscover forgotten favorites with your kids?

Do you want to get away for a while, but you’re not sure what to do or where to go?

Embark on a mystery road trip adventure with your family.

Let your kids take control… of not the wheel, but the destination. You lead the way and put your kids in charge of which direction you turn during your travels.

In this article I’ll show you how to plan and go on a mystery road trip adventure with your family.

Why Go on a Mystery Road Trip Adventure?

Sometimes, a last-minute road trip—destination unknown—is just what you and your kids need as a fun break from all of their scheduled activities.

It’s a great way to discover places in your neighborhood that you can get to via car, bike or foot! Plus, there’s a sense of adventure in not knowing where your road trip will take you.

A mystery road trip adventure is perfect for those days when your family can’t decide what to do next or where to visit, eat or shop. You can do it as a specific activity or as a break while you are out running errands. You can even take a mystery trip when you’re out of town on vacation.

Warning: The mystery road trip adventure is something your kids will want to do again and again. The good news is that it’s a different adventure every time.

Want to liven things up with a fun activity that can be done anytime, anywhere, for the cost of a few trinkets or treats?

Send them on a scavenger hunt! Whether you have one child or a large group, it’s an easy way to add fun to an ordinary day and beat the boredom blues. And you can turn almost anything into a scavenger hunt!

In this article you’ll find 10 scavenger hunt ideas (with printable checklists) that you can do right now with your kids. And I’ll share tips and tricks to help you create your own scavenger hunt anytime, anywhere.

Why a Scavenger Hunt?

Scavenger hunts are fun! They add something extra to ordinary events and make them memorable.

They’re easy to create and can be tailored to any theme, any age, any place. Scavenger hunts are usually thought of for parties or other large groups, but they’re just as fun for small families or even individual children.

A scavenger hunt adds an element of competition, urgency and excitement to any everyday event and makes it something special. They’re great for parties, but equally fun for rainy days, car trips, visits to new places, meeting new people or any time kids get bored. You can make almost anything—even chores—into a game by turning it into a scavenger hunt.